York Dungeon 2013
On the 26th Sept 2012, following days of torrential downpours, the River Ouse in York spilled its banks and the city was engulfed with water. Sadly the York Dungeon took the brunt of the smelly dirty river water and the venue was soon flooded, with actors trudging out of the attraction knee deep in mucky and grime. The management believed it would take just a few days to reopen but once the waters had subsided the true extent of the damage became apparent. In fact, it was deemed so bad that it was decided to close down for a full 6 months.
Fast forward to the end of March 2013 and with a £2m rebuild and makeover, it was time to see what fiendish tricks they had in-store for the unsuspecting public.The first thing that struck us as we arrived was that York had joined London and Edinburgh with the new branding and tag line 'fear is a funny thing'. Speaking outside to a not so happy jester it was explained that the new concept was a marketing change of direction but that we should still expect to be scared once inside!
We started our tour in the darkened waiting room of Clifford's Tower, which then lead us onto to all the scenes and tricks we have come to expect from the Dungeon brand. Apart from the unfinished Dick Turpin scene, our tour consisted of some firm favourites, some new characters, and plenty of subtle script and effects changes throughout. In fact we were enjoying the changes so much it was a shame that the Judge's scene remained identical to previously. Fortunately this was compensated for by the strong characterisation the actors put into their roles. Some of the other highlights along the way included a very effective new surprise in the torturer's room and a technical upgrade in the Golden Fleece pub with a very subtle but wonderful peppers ghost effect. The new scenes and characters settled in snugly into the new layout and the whole 70 minutes tour was full of jumps, jokes and some good old toilet humour!
The sets look fantastic and with a totally new layout and new props the attraction feels new and fresh again. It also helps that all the the actors have more theatrical and grander costumes which are far nicer (in a sinister way!) than the old ones.
As we ran out of the last scene to escape the grasps of the witch catcher straight into the gift shop, we could stop and digest the whole new experience. It all seems so much more theatrical now than the old show, and if the actors can keep up the wonderful performances we experienced on press night, then it should get nothing but good reviews when it opens to the general public on Friday. We can't wait to go back and try it again!
Fast forward to the end of March 2013 and with a £2m rebuild and makeover, it was time to see what fiendish tricks they had in-store for the unsuspecting public.The first thing that struck us as we arrived was that York had joined London and Edinburgh with the new branding and tag line 'fear is a funny thing'. Speaking outside to a not so happy jester it was explained that the new concept was a marketing change of direction but that we should still expect to be scared once inside!
We started our tour in the darkened waiting room of Clifford's Tower, which then lead us onto to all the scenes and tricks we have come to expect from the Dungeon brand. Apart from the unfinished Dick Turpin scene, our tour consisted of some firm favourites, some new characters, and plenty of subtle script and effects changes throughout. In fact we were enjoying the changes so much it was a shame that the Judge's scene remained identical to previously. Fortunately this was compensated for by the strong characterisation the actors put into their roles. Some of the other highlights along the way included a very effective new surprise in the torturer's room and a technical upgrade in the Golden Fleece pub with a very subtle but wonderful peppers ghost effect. The new scenes and characters settled in snugly into the new layout and the whole 70 minutes tour was full of jumps, jokes and some good old toilet humour!
The sets look fantastic and with a totally new layout and new props the attraction feels new and fresh again. It also helps that all the the actors have more theatrical and grander costumes which are far nicer (in a sinister way!) than the old ones.
As we ran out of the last scene to escape the grasps of the witch catcher straight into the gift shop, we could stop and digest the whole new experience. It all seems so much more theatrical now than the old show, and if the actors can keep up the wonderful performances we experienced on press night, then it should get nothing but good reviews when it opens to the general public on Friday. We can't wait to go back and try it again!
Links:
2009 ScareTOUR Review - Bloody Vikings
2010 ScareTOUR - Witches Burned Alive
2012 ScareTOUR - Execution: Traitors of York
Official Dungeons website - www.thedungeons.com
2009 ScareTOUR Review - Bloody Vikings
2010 ScareTOUR - Witches Burned Alive
2012 ScareTOUR - Execution: Traitors of York
Official Dungeons website - www.thedungeons.com
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i took my 2 teenage daughters we thought that the attraction was quiet good not scary only when the staff jumped out at you in the dark, the acting was good but we thought it was a bit rushed it said the expereance last for 70 mins when we got out and checked the time it was only 40 mins long that was dissapointing as we went in nov and the dungeons had no queues or people waiting
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